Let’s Talk Airport Transportation Options to Disney World
The Disney Bubble no longer extends to the airport. In the immortal words of Metallica, you know it’s sad but true.
Since Magical Express ended, Disney fans have employed alternative methods to reach the Walt Disney World campus.
Which one of them will you prefer? The answer depends on your travel preferences.
Here are the best ways to travel from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World.
Limousine and Car Services
Hey, big spender! Look at you!
I’m kidding. Using a car service is a smart strategy in most instances.
Your personal driver will know the airport better than anyone we discuss, as it’s their livelihood to do so.
Also, as a professional chauffeur, they’ll know tips and tricks for shorter drives. Plus, they’ll demonstrate Disney-level customer service.
You get what you pay for with limousines and car services, which brings us to the other side of the conversation.
Depending on the type of car you select, you’re likely to pay at least $100 and, realistically, substantially more.
Limousine rides start at double that rate, and even a $200 fare is challenging to find these days.
So, we’re talking about pricey rides to and from the airport. But you’ll roll up to Walt Disney World in style.
The other nice part is that when you’re ready to leave the airport, one of those nice chauffeurs will hold up a sign with your name on it.
That’s a pretty great feeling.
Mears Connect
Technically, the official name of this airport shuttle service is Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine.
That’s a mouthful of words to reflect an awkward marriage between two companies.
When Magical Express ended, two competing companies tried to fill the void.
Mears held the competitive advantage because Disney had used some of its buses for Magical Express.
However, Sunshine took a savvier approach by theming its buses, making them more Disney-like.
The two companies realized they would fit better as a team. So, now we have Mears Connect.
Single travelers on a budget don’t need to read past this section. You will NOT beat Mears Connect on pricing.
You’ll pay $20 for one-way transportation, while children cost $14 each.
That’s the catch here. The shuttle service works best for smaller parties.
Once we start talking about families of two adults and two children, some other options cost less.
Then, we have the other sticking point with Mears Connect. You have VERY little control over your hotel arrival time.
An employee will stick you on a bus that may or not leave within the next half-hour.
Afterward, you’ll likely wait for several other shuttle bus stops at Disney resorts before the driver reaches yours.
When friends take Mears Connect, I warn them to buffer 60-90 minutes of travel time from the airport. It really can take that long.
I view a Disney trip as being on the clock the instant I touch down at the airport. So, that’s a sticking point for me.
If you don’t mind waiting a bit longer in exchange for saving some money, you’ll find Mears Connect quite comfortable.
After all, this shuttle service is basically Magical Express without the Disney trappings.
Minnie Vans
Okay, your first instinct is probably to respond that Disney has discontinued Minnie Van service to the airports.
That’s somehow true and untrue. So, this section only applies to a few of you, the guests staying on the Club Level of Disney resorts.
When you book a Club Level reservation, Disney will provide your party with the option of a Minnie Van ride to/from the airport.
A ride from the airport via Minnie Van is $199 one way or $398 round trip.
This pickup service is more than just stylish. It’s also large enough to seat six guests.
Even better, a Cast Member can add two children’s car seats if needed.
I’m a strong proponent of Minnie Vans, but you can compare this option with the others on the list.
In doing so, you’ll realize Disney competes with limousine services rather than ride-sharing.
That’s especially noteworthy since you book Minnie Van reservations via the Lyft app.
Ride-Shares
So, we might as well cover ride-sharing now.
Depending on where you live, you’re either intimately familiar with ride-sharing or only use it while on vacation.
I can say from plenty of experience that your ride-sharing enjoyment largely depends on the driver.
You’ll choose the level of car you desire from Uber or Lyft via the app, but the driver isn’t really up to you.
How much should that bother you? Honestly, it just depends.
The overwhelming majority of drivers are polite and courteous. Most of the rest want to be left alone and drive silently.
You will infrequently run into one who wants to share their views on politics and religion and cannot be dissuaded. But that’s life.
Presuming you find an adequate driver – and more than 90 percent are – you should enjoy the ride-sharing experience.
You’ll relax and unwind in the car after your flight. These moments of solace allow you to switch into vacation mode.
The ride will take a half-hour or so, depending on traffic. In my experience, 35-40 minutes is about the average.
As for the cost, it’s reasonable, although you should remember that a good tip is expected.
Your cheapest price is probably $35 or so, and it can go much higher, depending on the vehicle you choose and how good a tipper you are.
Ride-sharing is probably the most used transportation option besides shuttle service.
Yes, the trip can be a mixed bag, but most results are positive.
Here are the ride-share pickup areas at MCO:
- Terminal A (Level 2) and on Level 3 between 9:00pm and 2:00am
- Terminal B (Level 2) and on Level 3 between 9:00pm and 2:00am
- Terminal C (Level 6)
Taxis
Remember taxis?
Well, you may have forgotten about them, but they’re alive and well at airports around the world.
At MCO, you’ll find taxicab pickup at three different locations.
When you fly into Terminal A, head to Ground Transportation Curb (Level 1) in spaces A22-A25.
At Terminal B, you’ll follow directions to Ground Transportation Curb (Level 1) in spaces B30-B34.
Finally, the Arrivals Curb is on Level 6. If you struggle with any of these locations, you can always ask for help.
However, the ample airport signs and the MCO app will assist you in finding the shortest route to a taxicab pickup spot.
As for pricing, the cost depends on your Disney hotel’s location relative to the airport.
You’ll find a wide range of estimated prices for a taxi ride from the airport.
Some suggest the price is as low as $35, while others suggest $70 is reasonable.
In my experience, taxis cost more than ride-shares, but your mileage may vary.
And if all of this still sounds overwhelming, you can always contact MickeyTravels for a FREE quote! They can take all the stress away and plan every element of your trip — at no extra cost to you.
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